Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
524. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education her views on the practice of reduced timetables as a means of managing behaviour of children; and her plans to ensure that children do not have restricted hours in their education. [37076/23]
View answerThe position of my Department is that all pupils who are enrolled in a school should attend school for the full day, unless exempted from doing so for exceptional circumstances, such as medical reasons.
My Department issued guidelines to schools on reduced school days in September 2021 which came into effect from 1st January 2022.
These guidelines clearly state that reduced school days should not be used as a sanction, offered as an alternative to a sanction, or used as a behavioural management tool. Reduced school days should only ever be considered in very limited and time-bound circumstances such as, for example, supporting a student to return to school after a period of absence, or due to a medical or mental health-related condition or due to other exceptional circumstances. It is acknowledged that a reduced school day may be helpful in exceptional circumstances as part of a transition or reintegration intervention, based on the needs of individual student.
Where a reduced school day is used, it should be applied proportionately, and should last only as long as is necessary to facilitate a return to school on a full-time basis. Signed parental/guardian consent (or consent of the student if over 18) should be received prior to implementation of a reduced school day.
My Department continues to work closely with Tusla Education Support Service and the National Council for Special Education to ensure that all students are supported to the greatest extent possible to attend for the full school day.
